3D feature based mapping towards mobile robots´ enhanced performance in rescue missions

This paper presents a feature based 3D mapping approach with regard to obtaining compact models of semi-structured environments such as partially destroyed buildings where mobile robots are to carry out rescue activities. To gather the 3D data, we use a laser scanner, employing a nodding data acquisition system mounted on both real and simulated robots. Our segmentation algorithm comes up from the integration of computer vision techniques, allowing for a fast separation of points corresponding to different, not necessarily planar, surfaces. The subsequent extraction of geometrical features out of each region´s points is done by means of least-squares fitting. A Maximum Incremental Probability algorithm formulated upon the Extended Kalman Filter provides 6D localization and produces a map of planar patches with a convex-hull based representation. Scenarios from the Unified System for Automation and Robot Simulation (USARSim), including world models from past RoboCup Rescue editions´ arenas, have been utilized to conduct some of our experiments.